Boris Johnson today mocked George Clooney over his call to return the Greek Elgin Marbles from London to “the Pantheon” — a temple in Rome.

The Mayor accused the Hollywood actor of confusing his ancient civilisations. Mr Clooney’s wife Amal is currently advising Greece on how to return them to the Parthenon, in Athens.In his Telegraph column, Mr Johnson praised the “British Museum’s freedom to loan [part of the marbles] to Russia — even in this wretched period”.

He said: “That is why George Clooney is so wrong in his plan to restore the marbles to the ‘Pantheon’... the wrong temple, in the wrong city.”On his LBC radio show Mr Johnson then responded to reports Theresa May thinks the Mayor of London should be subject to recall powers that may apply to police commissioners. Mr Johnson said recall was useful, but there was an “anomaly” over whether powers should also apply to the Home Secretary.

I love Boris!!! But he is a very well educated man so picking a fight with him won't be easy! George will have to know his onions inside and out! And I don't think George should be sticking his beak into this matter anyway. Bad enough Mrs C is. JMO!! I know but there's a Greek one!!!!

Mm, I love Boris too and he's been a great mayor, but to keep banging on about how His Nibs made a mistake by saying Pantheon and not Parthenon is just a bit ya-boo even if he did mention 'good old George Clooney'!

Of course he went on to qualify his argument very knowledgeably by saying even that would be a bit of stretch for Alexander. This is of course Boris's area of expertise and he's written many a book about it.